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MCC softball ladies drop Sunday twin-bill
Slow starts have been the unfortunate trademark of the McCook Community College women's softball team so far this spring.
The Indians fell behind early in both games Sunday, March 21, as MCC lost to Otero (Colo.) Junior College by scores of 8-1 and 12-7.
The double-header was played at the Jaycees Sports Complex in McCook.
Those slow starts for head coach Liz Jacoby's MCC team have been a thorn in the side for the Indians, as MCC has just one win so far this spring. Otero started Sunday's opening game with consecutive doubles, a single and a home run as MCC fell behind 4-0.
"It's always tough when you get behind that early," Coach Jacoby said. "Not that I don't have confidence in the fact that we can come back and put some runs together in the next inning. It's just a matter of doing it. We've had a tough time this year having timely hitting. It's something that we're still struggling with. For some reason, the first game is always slow, and the second game is better.
"We still make too many defensive mistakes. We did make base running mistakes. I told the girls before there was no excuse for base running mistakes. But today I thought we ran the bases real well. The only time that we got in trouble was when I hung someone out to dry at home plate."
Otero hitters blasted several home runs over the Jaycees Sports Complex outfield fence during both games Sunday.
"Prior to today we've had great pitching," Jacoby said. "On the same token, when they are not pitching well, we've got to step up and hit. We haven't found that balance yet. One game we have great defense and no hitting, the next game it's great hitting and no defense. We just can't seem to put it together. Once we do, we'll see great things out of these kids."
Second-game rally
One bright spot for the Indians was a rally in the second game. MCC fell behind 7-2 entering the bottom half of the fifth inning. McCook loaded the bases, and with two outs, Stephanie Kuhn delivered a line shot over the Otero right fielder's head for a three-run triple to pull MCC within 7-5.
Brittany Coward then beat out an infield grounder that was bobbled by the Otero third baseman, and Kuhn scored to get the Indians with a run.
McCook stranded a runner at second base in the bottom of the inning. Otero loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, followed by a grand-slam homer to take a commanding 12-6 lead.
MCC scored a single run in the bottom of the seventh when Jackie Stickley led off with a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice fly by Dyer, and scored on an Otero overthrow.
Jennifer Zulkanycz drove in McCook's lone run in the first game with a fielder's choice in the third inning. Danae McCorkle was 3-for-3 at the place for MCC in the first game, and Ashalla Dyer added two hits.
Coach Jacoby has had to juggle the MCC schedule early this spring due to wet weather conditions. The Indians have seen 12 games postponed so far. Jacoby moved Sunday's double-header back from Saturday and postponed a road game Sunday at Southeast C.C. of Beatrice.
Eight games in four days
McCook C.C. returns to action next Friday, March 26, in the start of a busy weekend. The Indians are set to host Garden City (Kan.) C.C. in a double-header at the Jaycees Sports Complex starting at 2 p.m.
Friday's action will begin a stretch of eight games over four days for MCC.
McCook is also scheduled to host Lamar (Colo.) C.C. Saturday, March 27 (first game starts at noon). MCC also has a double-header scheduled Sunday, March 28 at Western Nebraska-Scottsbluff, followed by a home double-header against Central C.C. of Columbus Monday, March 29.